Louisiana is being sued by an out-of-state retailer because of the state’s burdensome tax collection system that’s costing it more than double what it cost to collect a dollar in sales taxes for the state. More from Dave Brannen.
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Voters pass Constitutional Amendment Two; bringing changes to the state income tax code. So what comes next? Kevin Gallagher has more…:
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LSU Shreveport is providing COVID vaccines for children ages five to eleven at schools in north Louisiana. Brooke Thorington explains
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Just days after voters said no to amending the state’s constitution to create a single tax commission in Louisiana, a federal lawsuit has been filed in New Orleans to force change to the tax collection system in the state. Daniel Erspamer, CEO of the Pelican Institute for Public Policy, says the current system conflicts with the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2018 Wayfair decision.
The lawsuit is being brought on behalf of a small online Arizona jewelry and craft supply company that estimates the current tax system in Louisiana costs it two-dollars-28-cents for every dollar it collects in taxes.
Erspamer says Louisiana’s tax collection system is only one of two in the nation that is considered overly complex and possibly likely federally unconstitutional.
Instead of having one tax collection commission, there are more than 50 such entities in the Bayou State.
Erspamer says the goal is to have the courts decide whether Louisiana is in compliance with the Supreme Court’s Wayfair decision to streamline tax collection in U.S. states.
Cut 6 (13) “..here in Louisiana.”
Named as defendants in the case are the Louisiana Department of Revenue and Lafourche, Tangipahoa and Washington parishes.
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A Legislative Audit found the Louisiana Workforce Commission made $2.9 million in payments that might have violated both state and federal unemployment rules. LWC spokesperson Chris Fiore says while the agency acknowledges the mistake, they also had to implement a huge number of claims with little federal guidance.
The audit found that three percent of the $10-billion paid out by LWC was in overpayments. Fiore says an overpayment of unemployment benefits happens in normal times also.
Fiore says it’s important that LWC come to the aid of Louisianans. He says LWC is so much more than unemployment, they help put people to work but at the height of the pandemic…
If you believe you might have received an overpayment of unemployment benefits Fiore says you can call LWC or check your My Hire account for notification.
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Voters statewide approved Constitutional Amendment Two, which will lower state income tax brackets, cap the highest brackets and remove the deduction for federal income taxes paid. With that done, what comes next? State Revenue Secretary Kimberly Lewis they’ll immediately put out new state withholding tables that reflect the new rates…:
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The Amendment lowers the income tax brackets to 1.85-percent for the lowest income earners, 3.5-percent for middle incomes and 4.25-percent for the highest. Lewis says will mean a great number of taxpayers will find they owe the state less when they file their 2021 state taxes…:
Cut 11 (10) “…to the rate change.”
Remember that the state tax deduction for federal income taxes paid is also going away, and this will also affect how much you may owe – or get back from – the state. Lewis says state legislators worked with her department to create a tax reform that would have minimal impact on small business and individual taxpayers…:
Cut 12 (10) “…all income levels.”
Lewis says to be prepared for the tax changes brought by Amendment Two when you file state taxes in the spring.
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LSU-Health Shreveport is helping parents by making it as convenient as possible to have children ages five to eleven get vaccinated at schools in north Louisiana. Hospital K-12 Engagement Coordinator Jennifer Deason says they already had established relationships with the schools when they did COVID testing, and now they are providing vaccines.
To be vaccinated, Deason says all children must present a signed parental consent form and they are also taking another step to confirm parental or guardian permission.
After each injection students are observed by nurses for 15 minutes to see if they have any adverse reaction and for those students who have epi-pens they are observed for 30 minutes as a precaution.
Understandably, Deason says many of the children are apprehensive about getting a shot and so they try to ease their fears and even ask if they’ve ever been pinched by their sibling.
They will visit schools in three weeks to follow up with a second dose of the Pfizer vaccine and also offer flu shots on second visits. Parental consent will be required once again.
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LSU Football Coach Ed Orgeron says Max Johnson will start at quarterback against ULM. Johnson started in the loss to Arkansas, but freshman Garrett Nussmeier played most of the game. Orgeron says Nussmeier showed flashes but the Tigers still lost the game
If Nussmeier plays in another game this season, he will lose the ability to declare this a red-shirt season and lose a year of eligibility.
Orgeron was once again critical of the play calling following Saturday night’s loss to the Hogs. Coach O was asked on Monday if he regretted hiring offensive coordinator Jake Peetz and passing game coordinator DJ Mangas, who are calling plays for the first time…
LSU is 4-and-6 and needs to win the final two games of the regular season for a chance to play in a bowl game. Orgeron expects his players to remain motivated….
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The Saints suffered a gut-wrenching loss Sunday to Tennessee as the Titans held on for a 23-21 victory. New Orleans made too many mistakes, but Coach Sean Payton says there were some positives.
After a big win at home against NFC South leader Tampa Bay, the Saints have lost two consecutive tight ball games. Payton says they will look to end the losing streak this Sunday at Philadelphia…